Arts Education

Discipline-based arts education (DBAE) is a comprehensive approach to instruction and learning in visual art derived primarily
from the disciplines of aesthetics, art criticism, art history, and art production.
Each discipline provides a different lens or perspective from which to view, understand,
and value works of art, as well as the world in which art objects are created.

The model continues to evolve, expanding to include both the rigorous study of the
arts and authentic connections with other subjects. The approach is now often referred
to as comprehensive arts education.

Our experience as a multi-arts organization has shown that educators and parents are
interested in all the art forms and in how they can be integrated across the curriculum.
The structure of the Southeast Center's professional development offerings and instructional
materials explore dynamic intersections and cross-curricular connections.

Intensive summer institutes have been the foundation of our work, bringing together
presenters and participants with diverse backgrounds from different places. Those
institutes have evolved in national Arts & Education Forums held in Chattanooga each
May. Workshops are now conducted on-site at partner schools. Engaging in sustained
professional development provides connections, experiences, and learning that cannot
be achieved on a fragmented basis. We also know the power of authentic work and one-on-one
mentoring on-site in schools throughout the academic year.

Collaborative curriculum development, team teaching, school site visits,and teacher
exchanges have sparked the interest of many educators in our partner schools. We continue
to explore and provide alternative methods of dynamic professional development.

Day classes are cancelled, campus closed until 5 p.m. on Aug. 21

Although it was previously announced that all classes would be cancelled on Aug. 21, classes that begin at or after 5 p.m. will now be held. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

Aug. 21, will be a historic day. Chattanooga will experience a 90 percent solar eclipse. To allow faculty, staff and students to safely participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event, day classes will be cancelled on Aug. 21, and UTC will be closed until 5 p.m., when night classes begin.